xx Panama

Ports of call. The world then, strains fascinating lands beckon us, bid us rebel and their exotic spenders,

come with us as we head for ports of call. Over a jade and purple sea, under the sky of deepest azure, with a warm, fragrant wind in our faces, we steam to the crossroads of commerce, to Panama.

Although, as Seymour Bolivar said, the isthmus of Panama is the bridge of the world, Visited now annually by thousands of travelers, the country itself, aside from the canal, the cities of Panama and Cologne, with their ports of Balboa and Cristobal, is still the land of mystery, little known and little appreciated.

Panama has an area four times that of Belgium, with mountains rising two miles inland, primitive tribes of untamed Indians, vast forests of valuable cabinetwoods, waters teeming with pearl shells, marvelous mineral wealth, and boundless agricultural resources.

The year 1510, eight years after Columbus visited Panama, and a great cariboule is wallowing across the Caribbean to the colony of Santa Maria de la Antiva del Dorien. The ship bears a hundred colonists as well as horses, cattle, and supplies.

It is captained by one Fernando de Nciso called the bachelor. This gloomy visiget elderly commander is seated in his cabin. Enter! The store has been discovered on Enxisso, some vala to conceal himself in an empty wine card.

What miskery entities? Let him be led before me at once. You shall see how I, the chief justice, proposed to enforce the laws in Darian. Bring this miserable man before his Excellency. Get in there, you sneaky stowaway.

What else is this scoundrel? How dare you defy authority? What is your name? Speak quickly before my patients forsake me. Vosco Munet de Balboa, excellency. I am of noble Castilian lineage. Late soldier in the Moorish walls. Adventurer, like all of us here in Hispaniola.